WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 23, 2014) – D.C. United, the Philadelphia Union and Special Olympics are collaborating to leverage the power of sports to promote an environment of social inclusion and acceptance by uniting people with and without intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics Unified Sports.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, D.C. United, the Union and Special Olympics will partner to conduct a Special Olympics Unified Sports soccer match between Special Olympics Pennsylvania and Special Olympics District of Columbia following the MLS regular season match between the Black-and-Red and the Union.
The two Unified Sports soccer teams, comprised of players both with and without intellectual disabilities wearing authentic D.C. United and Philadelphia Union uniforms, will play a 5v5, small-sided match, consisting of two 15-minute halves, at 5:45 p.m. on the RFK Stadium game field.
The Special Olympics District of Columbia team will also have a training session at the RFK Stadium training complex (21st & Oklahoma Ave NE) on Thursday, Sept. 25, from4:30-6 p.m.
The game will showcase the Unified Sports exchange program that is the cornerstone of the ongoing partnership between MLS and Special Olympics North America. Through the Unified Sports soccer exchange program, Unified soccer teams from MLS cities travel to other MLS markets to receive training from MLS players and coaches, as well as compete in exhibition matches with their Special Olympics counterparts in that MLS market. Unified matches are scheduled in conjunction with MLS club matches, providing MLS fans with an opportunity to witness first-hand, the talents and abilities of Special Olympics soccer players. Media are encouraged to attend both the training session and/or the match to create an authentic experience for the participants.
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